My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Willoughby P. Smith is giving his attention to merchandising and planting, and in both these occupations has met with a more than ordinary degree of success, for he gives strict attention to all minor details, and being enterprising in his views keeps out of the beaten path. His birth occurred in Monroe County, Mo., in 1851, being a son of Epaphroditus and Elizabeth Smith, also natives of this State, the father’s birth occurring in Callaway County, in 1822. His early life was spent at farm labor in his native State, and this occupation received his attention after he had started out in life for himself at the age of twenty-one years. He soon after accepted a position as agent of a steamboat line, but a short time after engaged in merchandising at St. Aubert, Mo., continuing here three years. In 1847 he settled permanently in Monroe County, Mo., where he opened up a farm, and has since made his home, and as a man of fine intellect, sound judgment and prominence he has become well known. He is now sixty-seven years of age, and is still hale and hearty. He was married in 1847 to Miss Elizabeth Davis, of Missouri, and the following children were born to them: Willoughby P., Thomas W., Henry W., William B., Deborah J., Nannie E., and Bettie B. William B. is the only one of the family deceased. All the sons are farmers except Willoughby P., and his brother, Thomas W. The latter first started out for himself in 1876, and went to California, remaining five years, at the end of which time he returned east and began working with his brother. The rest of the family are living on the old homestead in Monroe County, Mo., with the exception of a sister, who is married and living in Moberly, Mo. Willoughby P. Smith came to Desha County, Ark., is 1874, where he followed the occupation of clerking until 1880, then formed a partnership with C. P. Blackburn in the mercantile business, but for some time has been doing business entirely on his own account, and carries a stock of goods valued at $3,000. His sales amount to $25,000 per annum, and he is well known over the county as a wide-awake and prosperous merchant. He also gives considerable attention to agriculture, and has under cultivation about 500 acres of land, which yields about 400 bales of cotton each year. His place of business is in the little town of Laconia, on the Mississippi River, and he has entire charge of the wharf interest at the landing. He is a Democrat, and although not active, was appointed postmaster in 1878, and held the position three years. He is at present one of the school directors of his district, and has always been interested in educational matters, and, in fact, all worthy enterprises. He has lived an honorable, upright life, and in all his relations with the public his many sterling qualities are fully recognized. In 1880 Miss Mary G. Flournoy, a daughter of George and Fannie (Blackburn) Flournoy, became his wife, and in time the mother of his four children: George F., Bessie D., Frankie B., and Shepard H.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Desha County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Desha County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.